Like the Moriwaki 600GP Prototype, this AguÌ GP6, hailing from 1997, provides an excellent idea of what we can expect from the four-stroke 600cc prototypes that will race in Moto2. It houses a tuned version of a CBR600 engine in a prototype frame fitted with common period racing components. Wait, that doesn't sound like a GP bike, what gives?>

In an effort to reduce costs and level the playing field, the new Moto2
rules are heavy on the list of items not allowed and light on what ispermitted. The engines will have a maximum capacity of 600cc, no morethan four pistons, will have capped rev limits, no pneumatic valves, novariable valve timing or lift, no variable-length inlets, no directfuel injection, and must use internal components manufactured from aniron-based alloy, pistons from an aluminum alloy and crank cases andcylinder heads cast from aluminum alloy as well. Check out the complete
list for like a dozen more things engines can't have.

Three or four years ago, it would have been easy to say that thisbasically amounted to a production 600 supersport engine. Not anylonger. Take the 2009 Yamaha R6 for example, it uses variable-lengthinlets and a ride-by-wire throttle, its engine wouldn't meet Moto2regs.

So what will power the Moto2 bikes if not production engines? We expectthe factories to use the knowledge they've gained building and tuningtheir current 600cc engines to produce bespoke units based on currentthinking and practices, but shorn of fancy high-tech features. They'll obviously bein a racing state of tune, so expect 20bhp or more than the current120-130bhp production 600 engines. Just like the CBR-based GP6, thoseengines will be housed in prototype chassis -- don't rule out steeltrellis units, they're extraordinarily cost-effective -- runningtop-of-the-line suspension. With a minimum weight for four-cylindermachines set at 135kg, the Moto2 bikes will perform vastly better thanany road-going 600, but 100% prototype GP machines these ain't.

The one saving grace of this technological dumb down is that it couldlead to incredibly competitive racing. Just like that currentlydisplayed in World Supersport and Superbike. In fact, come to think ofit, we're rapidly beginning to care about those two series much morethan anything organized by Dorna.